La Mesans talk it up at Town Hall meeting

LA MESA  Ideas about what the future should be for the historical spring house at Collier Park, the growing problem of panhandlers, concerns about crime throughout the community, chickens in backyards, sidewalk and street issues for pedestrians and cyclists were among the topics on the table at Thursday’s Town Hall meeting at La Mesa Middle School.

The second of two meetings that offered La Mesa citizens the opportunity to share their concerns with city staff and elected officials drew about 40 residents; police and fire personnel; Carlos Lugo, general manager of the Helix Water District; and even Lemon Grove City Councilman George Gastil, who took a front seat.

When one resident raised concerns about a new 7-Eleven store opening up in his neighborhood, possibly near the Big Lots! on Lake Murray Boulevard, and the disappointment over the closing of the Ralphs grocery store near Grossmont Center, mayor Art Madrid spoke up.

“You have to understand that if you’re going to live in a democracy, there are rules and regulations that we like and we can’t ignore the ones we don’t like,” Madrid said. “Once we start saying, ‘You can’t be here because you’re a store,’ the next thing is, ‘You can’t be here in my city because you have gray hair, you wear glasses, because you look different than somebody else.’ And before you know it, it’s a slippery line and that happens all the time.”

La Mesa historian Jim Newland, a big supporter of all that is La Mesa’s past, spoke on behalf of protecting Collier Park’s spring house, which closed in 1981.

Parts of it may yet be saved and incorporated into a historic display at the park. The city is working on a master plan for the park. The draft environmental impact report on the restoration/improvement of Collier Park will be released Jan. 24, but Newland expressed concern that the spring house would be demolished.

“I really feel it is a grave mistake,” said Newland, who was part of the city’s centennial celebration committee. “This is a significant thing we need to take care of. We need to preserve this building for another 100 wonderful years of this resource.”

Community Development Director Bill Chopky noted that in the environmental report, “various alternatives for the spring house” are included. Through March 11, the public can weigh in and the city will collect comments and share them with its historical preservation committee. The issue eventually will wind up at the city council for a final say so.

Police Chief Ed Aceves spoke several times on the topic of crime, and noted that a high-profile gang tagger had been caught with the help of the Graffiti Tracker, a system used countywide to find taggers, and prosecuted to the tune of $15,000.

Public Works Director Greg Humora explained the reasons behind changes along some of the streets in the city so that those on bicycles or using strollers or wheelchairs would have better, safer access.

“We are always looking for opportunities to help pedestrians, bicycles, moms, wheelchairs,” Humora said. “We’re trying to increase walkability, help find space for bicycles. It’s a give-and-take, balance. There is enough room for pedestrians and bikes, and plenty of room for cars. We want people to get out and walk more and use public transportation.”

Artist Brenda Taylor teased the council by saying she wanted to sell goods at intersections, much as she’s seen the homeless doing.

“There’s an increasing numbers of beggars,” Taylor said. “I’ve since learned they are protected under First Amendment, but I see them camping out with dogs, doing magic tricks. I thought I’d heard of everything. It makes me wonder, can I go out there with my oil paintings? I’d like to make some money, walk up and down and see if anyone will buy my art.”

City attorney Glenn Sabine said Taylor was correct about the First Amendment, but that it was a complicated situation and that the city was looking to “craft some legislation in conjunction with our local legislature” to resolve the issue of panhandling.

Aceves also noted that his “colleagues up and down state report the same. In the nation, in nice weather cities, that’s part of the down side.”

Aceves also shared that “of all of the homeless in the nation, California has 20 percent. The nicer the weather, typically the more people you get in your area.”

The chief said that his concern was not from a business standpoint but from public safety. He said that if an officer sees a beggar step off the median and walk into the street to collect money, he will be cited.

Madrid said the best way to stop the begging is to “stop encouraging that kind of behavior,” and said residents should not give any money at intersections.